A breather, finally

Wednesday May 07, 2008 @ 10:23 AM EDT

Welcome to the NHL Connect blog page for Willa Ford. Willa Ford burst onto the music scene in the late 1990s. The singer/dancer recently appeared on Dancing with the Stars. She will chronicle the Dallas Stars’ Quest for the Cup, led by her husband, Stars forward Mike Modano.


Lots of emotions get stirred up around this time of year.


I actually refrained from blogging during the last few games due to a lack of good things to say. After talking it over with my hubby we decided I was too close to the situation to be blogging; I’m the kind of person who likes to be honest and I couldn’t say what I wanted to say, so I bit my tongue and hoped for the best.


Luckily, things worked out.


I probably wanted to say what every Dallas fan was feeling during the SJS series, but I couldn’t be the one to say anything about it…and I won’t now, except that it was a test and this team took it and ran with it.


But no more about that.


The other thing that bothered me was Ron Wilson’s comments to the press. And when Mike was asked to comment on it, he did exactly what you expect Modano to say: he calmed it down.


That was my reason for staying away – I didn’t want to comment.


Anyway, I made it in for the third period of Game 5 and I was at the four-OT Game 6. For the first time ever I wore a #9 jersey, and there are photos and video of me and all the wives waving the towels and loving life…and the only problem now is, I don’t think I’ll be able to take off the jersey for any more games. Superstitious maybe, but hey: it can’t hurt.


After the game, I watched all the San Jose guys come off – JR came off and spoke with me and told me how much he loves Mike, which I thought was very classy – and how they deserve everything they’ve got. Every player coming off the ice was either limping or wincing, and Mike comes out of the locker room and he was the same – everyone! It’s like MASH in the locker room, which is funny but not really, because these guys are giving everything they have to win and it shows…although, Mike says it hurts a lot less when you win.


So what are my thoughts on the series, my final thoughts on the subject? It’s over, it’s done and thank you Lord. The focus is now on the Detroit Red Wings.


I’d be lying if I didn’t think this one will be our hardest series, and even though I may have said that the last two series, it makes sense because things get harder as you move on.


I’m disappointed because veryone thinks there are a ton of disadvantages to Dallas, but I see a lot of positives. First of all, we had Anaheim and San Jose – two really great offensive teams with good goaltending – and now we have another. But this situation is a touch different. I think we can all be in agreement that Detroit’s offense is there (it might be the best remaining in the playoffs) but the goaltending isn’t the same as the first two.


A lot of it will hinge on Turco playing the same as he has in the past two series. We know they’re strong and we know they’re deep, but we have skill players as well. At times, it becomes a defensive game for Dallas. The goaltending could be a huge factor; it could be a swing-point.


They’re going to score and shoot a lot – that’s what they do. If Turco plays the same as he did in the first two series and Osgood isn’t as good, that could be the hinge.


What’s been great for me to see though is that the city of Dallas and the fans are really getting behind their team, coming out in droves. I’ve never been around to make it to the Conference Finals. It’s been intense and I felt like I was going to throw up, but I’m so proud of all of these guys.


Going into Detroit, we’re going to stick to the same game plan. It’s working. They’ll have to make some adjustments – it’ll be a big matchup with the Swedes and that’ll be exciting.

Now, a little trash-talking…


For anyone reading Geoff Stults’ blog, you know that he played in a charity baseball game with Mike and has returned to do it a number of times. Well, I want to know if George Stults’ blogging is as bad as his baseball (lol).


Mike and I love the Stultses, they’re such great guys – we’re just not sure what they think he’s doing blogging about Colorado and Detroit. Come on boys! The Stars!


I’d love to get a head-to-head hockey debate going. We love them, like I said, but I’ll challenge him to a hockey blogging duel – anytime, anyplace! Geoff and George, if you’re reading, it’s on! This was the series we’ve all been waiting for!


But if you’d like some time to do your research, I would understand, of course!


That’s all for now, hope you enjoyed – and bring on the Wings!


Go Stars!

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